The research, commissioned for Fire Door Safety Week, also showed that 13% of tenants in rented homes fear that raising fire safety concerns with their landlord could lead to a so-called “revenge eviction”.
10% of those surveyed said they have seen a fire door propped open in their accommodation – with almost a third believing incorrectly that this is safe.
Property owners are required by legislation (The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005) to ensure that their premises reach required standards of fire safety.
Fire doors – designed to automatically close to prevent the spread of toxic smoke and flames in the event of a fire- are a legal requirement for flats that open into communal areas. Under the legislation Houses of Multiple Occupation – typically student homes - with shared communal areas must have a fire risk assessment every six months
The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 also require all properties in the private rented sector to have a smoke detector on each storey with a room used as living accommodation. All smoke alarms must be in working order at the start of the tenancy and landlords are responsible for the repair and replacement of alarms – although renters are responsible for informing the landlord of faults.
Electrical safety inspections are also mandatory for all rented properties.
Ajay Jagota, Very Wise Student founder, responded to the figures: “This is just the latest example of unscrupulous and uncaring landlords and letting agents taking a casual approach to renter safety – and renters not having the knowledge or resources to uphold their rights.
“Fire safety is quite obviously a non-negotiable. One of Very Wise’s many free services for students is a free student accommodation safety check – helping student renters protect their rights, but more importantly keeping them safe.
“It’s not unsurprising too to hear that so many renters aren’t even bothering to report maintenance issues to their landlords and letting agents as they assume nothing will be done. But most repairs are not optional – and if they can’t get them carried out alone, we’re here to help”.
